Getting a 1911 this weekend, probably springfield, BUT.

[2meterB]

I want a SS gun.

The best price I've found on the Mil-Spec is $750
The best price I've found on the Loaded is $1050

That $300 difference goes a long way to buying my next firearm, or ammo, or reloading supplies.

I handled both, and while I liked the beavertail on the loaded, the weird bump in the back of the grip seems like it would be very annoying when firing for long periods of time.

I'm no competitive shooter - but I like to buy quality, and only buy once. Maybe 3 years from now, I'll get into competitive shooting.

Most of my googling has said "The loaded has more "bells and whistles" longer beaver tail, and full length guide rod." That doesn't sound like $300 to me...

[xoutxkastx]

How about a SA Range Officer <$900

http://www.riflegear.com/p-1741-springfield-1911-45acp-range-officer-black.aspx

[2meterB]

I saw that too and didn't like the sights much. Really like the three dot.

[HDPE Guy]

I'd go for a stainless sig. They come with and without the rail and night sights. I have the Sig 1911 TACOPS and it's a fun pistol.

[Cool Custard]

$750 for a mil spec seems high! Look through the marketplace here. Plenty of good deals to be found. Finding the rights deal in your area is the hard part.

[2meterB]

Yeah. The local place here wants 899 for milspec!

[Lead Waster]

I also despise the huge
"Memory bump" on some grips safeties. My friend's sig has one so make sure you hold a sig before considering it if its something that's a deal killer.

I personally like the beavertails, but I hate the bump more than I like the beavertails. So in the original question I would pick the mil spec.

Also op the sights in most 1911s are simply replaced so don't let sights or grip panels be a deal killer.

[ptusa]

Simple:

Take the cost of the upgrades that you are interested in between the Mil-Spec and the Loaded. You will not get very far for $300...

Loaded in is a better deal...

You can pick up a SS Loaded off Gunbroker for $900.

[SMR510]

Loaded for sure, ^ is right if you want to do some of the upgrades later down the road it will cost way more than $300. Mil Spec's are cool for a nostalgia purpose but something like a loaded it much nicer to shoot.

[trigger945]

^^^ +1 I think the price differential is worth it. Unless you know EXACTLY which mods you are going to do AND the upgrades from the Loaded are going to be redundant, Loaded is a better bet imo.

However, if you do not care much for upgrades, Mil Spec is a fine gun

Good luck!

[SNCaliber]

mil spec or loaded, it goes a long way not to cheap out when buying a 1911

[cindynles]

The beaver tail, sights (novak cut), and safety make it worth the money to upgrade to the loaded. You will spend much more than $300 to add those features to a mil-spec.

[Artema]

See, if I bought another 1911, and it didn't have a full length guide rod, or a nice beaver tail, I would end up buying them separately and fitting them and probably spending more in the end than just buying a version that have them, but I have a tinker personality.

[2meterB]

Sounds good. If I decide I don't hate that part sticking out of the safey, then loaded it is.

[rayrayz]

Good choice. I thought about adding any upgrades to a GI model and it added up really fast....although it was not for a upper class 1911 (read RIA lol).